#29 Coastal Carolina Lets One Slip Away at UNC Asheville, Falls 3-2

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -
Coastal Carolina pitchers walked in a run in the sixth and one in the ninth to drop a 3-2 decision at UNC Asheville Saturday afternoon at Greenwood Field. The Chanticleers fall to 15-9, 1-1 in the Big South and have their record-setting, regular-season conference win streak snapped at 36, dating back to 2009 (last 10 conference games of 2009, all 25 in 2010 and one in 2011). The Bulldogs improve to 7-14, 2-3.

In the bottom of the ninth, Ian Graham had a lead off single for UNCA. After a strike out, Catlin Carter singled to put runners on first and second. CCU pitcher Jordan Coons (1-2) looked to end the inning with an apparent double play, but Coastal could get just the one out at second, leaving runners on the first and third. The Chants intentionally walked Jordan Lurie to load the bases and pinch hitter Nick Collazo walked on four pitches, bringing home Graham for the game-winning run and marking the first run Coons has allowed this season (10 appearances and 15.1 innings).

UNCA struck first with a single run in the second. Patrick Koontz was hit by a pitch with one out, moved to second on a Graham single, stole third and scored on Tommy Houmard's single down the left-field line.

Coastal answered back with a run in the top of the third. Taylor Motter hit a lead off double, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Tripp Martin and scored on Scott Woodward's RBI ground out. (Note: Woodward had his streak of reaching base safely -- by hit, walk or hit by pitch -- snapped at 23 games, going 0-for-4 with no walks or being hit by a pitch Saturday.)

With two outs in the sixth, CCU starter Jim Birmingham walked Mike Vaughn, hit Koontz and walked Graham. Coastal turned to Ryan Connolly out of the bullpen, but he walked Cody Buch to force in Vaughn and give UNCA a 2-1 lead.

The Chants tied the game again in the eighth. With two outs, Tommy La Stella drew a walk and stole second. After fouling off a couple pitches, Daniel Bowman singled to center, driving in La Stella.

Dillon Tabar (2-0) was credited with the win for the Bulldogs, retiring all three batters he faced in the ninth. UNCA starter Grier Harrington scattered 10 hits (picking off two runners), walked one and struck out five.

Birmingham only allowed three hits and two walks while striking out four. Offensively, Orton and Rich Witten led the way, each going 3-for-4, while Bowman was 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Coastal Carolina and UNC Asheville are scheduled to play the rubber-game in the weekend series Sunday at 1 pm.